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Old 03-10-2015, 08:28 PM   #79
MEDISIN

 
Drives: 2011 CTS-V Sedan
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 1,505
Quote:
Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65 View Post
Upgrade powertrains, the 2.0T is fine but the 2.5L seems to be lacking in many areas especially with the Start/Stop system. Improve interior packaging particularly with the rear seat. It's a family sedan, rear seat space should be a priority, especially with a car also sold in China.
This^

From MotorTrend
"That said, nearly all editors found the Chevrolet Malibu's engine unpleasant to the ears. "The 2.5-liter makes a bad buzz over 3500 rpm and, because of the wide, tall gearing, the car tries to sit in fourth gear on the freeway," complained Kong. He emphasized the situation: "All acceleration feels labored." Our test numbers reveal acceleration roughly on par with the second-slowest Kia, edging that car out by a single tenth of a second in the quarter-mile run."
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._the_big_test/

While the current Malibu gets accolades for its chassis, steering feel and road noise, it's nearly the worst in acceleration and braking. The 2.5L needs to go.

Quote:
Originally Posted by stoopid View Post
Again, GM could send out the best car of the bunch in every respect and people are still going to buy a friggin Corolla. If I had to guess, the Malibu is simply there to fill the niche and is nothing more than a placeholder in that division. They're just too late to the game, for at least this round.
The first gen Fusion maxed out at 250k per year, the second gen topped 300k last year and growing. I don't think the Malibu can displace the Camry, Altima and Fusion but there is certainly room for growth as the Fusion showed.

Last edited by MEDISIN; 03-10-2015 at 08:40 PM.
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